A disabled boatman is planning to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar by sailing on his own around the British Isles.

Keith White, who lost the use of his left arm in a motorbike accident 14 years ago, will set sail this week from Gillingham Marina in Kent.

He aims to travel anti-clockwise around the UK and Ireland in three weeks.

Mr White's jib sail has an 8ft painting of Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died in the battle on 21 October, 1805.

The 200th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Trafalgar include an International Fleet Review at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 28 June, which should coincide with the closing stages of Mr White's journey along the south coast.

Mr White has already spent £50,000 on funding his voyage

He has been sailing since the age of 16 but will have to cover around 2,000 miles to complete this challenge.

Mr White said of Admiral Nelson: "He did an awful lot for the nation and he was a sailor, plus he was a disabled person and had one arm just like myself."

He added that weather conditions and food supplies could be his main enemies, but he has already stocked up on noodles.

"I'll have soups, baked beans and things like that but the noodles are supposed to give me all the energy I need."

Mr White will auction his painted sail in aid of five different charities.